<- This Car is currently under development in France and is Fuelled by Compressed Air!

I would like to offer a few tips on used fuel efficient cars, and offer a little advice to those who may be considering a change of car. If you are about to purchase a new car which you plan to keep for 3 years, and you think that diesel is the way to go, THINK AGAIN! As much as I love diesels, when you compare the cost of ownership of a new diesel car, over the petrol equivalent for a 3 year ownership, in most cases it just does not work in your favour. With a higher purchase price, higher servicing costs, quite often the diesel car is in a higher insurance group, then when you factor in that diesel is currently 12 pence a litre MORE expensive than petrol, the potential savings look bleak. The gap between both fuels currently appears to be widening on a monthly basis. A diesel car will retain a little more of its value after 3 years of ownership, but running costs will make it the more expensive option, overall. It really does not make great financial sense, UNLESS you plan to keep the car for more than 3 years. There will always be people out there who have a hard time accepting reality, the facts being, that sometimes car manufacturer’s, use the ‘PERCEPTION’ of economy, to nail you in the long run. It’s not all bad news, there are many great bargains to be found on the used car market. Below is a list of 50+ super frugal cars to look out for at used car dealers in the UK.

Alfa Romeo 147/156 1.9L JTD Diesel – 50+ MPG

Audi A2 1.4L TDI Diesel – 65+ MPG

Audi A3/A4/A6 1.9/2.0L TDI Diesel – 55+ MPG

BMW 118d/120d/318d/320d Diesel – 50+ MPG

Citroen C1/C2/C3 1.4L HDI Diesel – 65+ MPG

Citroen Saxo 1.5L Diesel – 55+ MPG

Citroen Xsara 1.4L HDI – 60+ MPG

Fiat Punto 1.3L Multijet Diesel – 60+ MPG

Ford Fiesta 1.4L TDCI Diesel – 60+ MPG

Ford Focus 1.8 TDdi Diesel 60+ MPG

Honda Civic 1.7 CDTI Diesel – 55+ MPG

Mazda 323 2.0L TD Disel – 55+ MPG

Mazda 626 2.0L TD Diesel – 55+ MPG

MG ZR 2.0L TD Diesel – 55+ MPG

Mitsubishi Charisma 1.9L DID Diesel – 50+ MPG

Peugeot 106 1.4/1.5L Diesel – 60+ MPG

Peugeot 206 1.4L HDI Diesel – 65+ MPG

Peugeot 307 1.4L HDI Disel – 60+ MPG

Renault Clio 1.5L DCI Diesel – 65+ MPG

Renault Megane 1.5L DCI Diesel – 60+ MPG

Seat Ibiza/Cordoba 1.9L SDI/TDI Diesel – 60+ MPG

Skoda Fabia 1.4L TDI Diesel – 60+ MPG

Toyota Yaris 1.4L D4D Diesel 70+ MPG

Toyota Corolla 1.4L D4D Diesel 60+ MPG

Vauxhall Corsa 1.7L DI/DTI Diesel – 60+ MPG

Vauxhall Astra 1.7L DTI ECO4 Diesel – 65+ MPG

Volkswagen Polo 1.4L TDI – Diesel – 60+ MPG

VW Golf/Bora 1.9L TDI – Diesel – 55+ MPG

by: Simon Christopher

Women’s car insurance has been popping up all over the net and our TV screens lately. There’s a whole new class of insurers like Sheila’s Wheels and Cover Girl who offer car insurance for ladies only. They promise lower premiums for women drivers because, they claim, it’s cheaper for them to insure women. Women are better drivers so a lower risk, they say. They have fewer accidents, fewer driving convictions and when they do have an accident, the repairs are usually cheaper. So, is it really true, or is it just another marketing gimmick?

The answer to the question is both yes and no. Women only insurance companies are marketing to a specific niche – women drivers. Of course it’s a gimmick, but like the best marketing gimmicks, it is based in truth. Here are the facts about women drivers and insurance:

-92% of driving convictions are handed out to men.

Those figures are changing, though, as women become more aggressive drivers. According to statistics gathered by the car insurance comparison site confused.com, 16.8% of male drivers have convictions on their driving record, compared to 9.8% of female drivers. That number is up from 4.8% of female drivers just three years ago.

-Men drive differently than women.

A whopping 98% of dangerous driving convictions were handed out to male drivers last year. According to all the research, men tend to be more aggressive and competitive behind the wheel than women, and that naturally leads to more accidents. Women tend to drive more slowly – generally within the speed limits – and to drive shorter distances. All of those facts add up to fewer accidents that involve women. (So much for all those jokes about lousy women drivers. The statistics say otherwise.)

-Insurance companies pay out less in damages for policies taken out by women.

When women do get into an accident, they tend to be of the fender-bender scrape variety. Overall, insurance companies have always known that female drivers cost them less in payouts.

However, that doesn’t necessarily translate to the lowest premiums from companies that only insure women. In fact, many of them offer actual quotes that are higher than the rate you’d be quoted from a more generic motor insurance company. The truth is that despite the widespread sentiment that women drivers underwrite their more expensive male counterparts by paying higher insurance, most insurance companies offer lower insurance rates to female drivers as a customary part of doing business.

That’s not to say that you won’t get the best price from an insurer who only insures women’s cars. The bottom line is the same as it is with any other auto insurance decision. Shop around. Get insurance rate quotes from a number of different companies before you decide on the policy that’s best for you. Keep in mind when you’re comparing policies that you should always compare like with like. Decide on the specific cover that you want before you start requesting quotes, and make sure that the rate you’re quoted includes all the cover you need. It’s really the only way to be absolutely certain you’re getting the best cover for your money.
About The Author
Simon Christopher

For a comprehensive list of the most popular womens car insurance companies plus real customer reviews and buying tips, visit http://www.uk-insurance-index.co.uk/womens-car-insurance-1.html

by: Marilyn Bohn

This winter I went to a neighboring city for the day. When I left home it was partly sunny and I thought a light sweater would be enough to wear for the day. At the last minute I did take my jacket. In two hours time the weather changed to blizzard conditions. It was snowing, blowing, and the electricity went out. Because of the storm I was a bit concerned and wondered if I would even be able to make it home because of the blizzard. I thought I had every thing in the trunk of my car I would need incase I couldn’t make it home through the storm so I felt secure in being prepared, (or so I thought).

I checked the trunk when I got home and found I didn’t have any emergency supplies. What a rude awakening for me. I had taken out my organizer with my first aid kit, blanket, emergency kit, everything else I had for emergencies and had never put them back.

This past week I was out of town and my daughter noticed one tire on my car had gone completely flat. I confidently told her to use the’ fix a flat can’ in the trunk to get my car to the shop to have it repaired. It is an inflator and sealer for tires. It is a foam, very easy to use and will allow you to drive on the tire for several miles until you can get the tire fixed. I had to use this product several years ago and I know it works. What peace of mind such a simple thing gives to me when I am driving in my car. I don’t have to have a jack or tools and it seals and inflates in minutes.

No matter that the weather or circumstances it is a good idea to have some basic supplies in our vehicles. That means in very vehicle we or someone else in our family drives.

Here is a list of suggested supplies to keep in our vehicles in case of an emergency:

Booster cables and/or…A 3-in-1 12Volt power station. It includes, 1) an emergency jump start system; 2) a 12 volt DC power supply which is a portable power source for lights, radio, cell phones; 3) long-lasting illumination for roadside emergencies, work areas and camp sites.

Car Jack You may have to use it someday so it is important to know how to use it. (Actually practice changing a tire before an emergency arises).

Spare tire Check it monthly to make sure it is pumped up and in useable condition.

Fix A Flat in a can

A first aid kit.

Road Flares

There are roadside emergency kits you can buy that are ready to go.

A sleeping bag, blanket. I carried an old quilt in my trunk for years thinking it was warm. We had to put it to the test and found it was not warm at all. Select a blanket to keep you warm. It can also come in handy if you are changing a tire and have to lay down on the ground.

A flashlight that works, check to see if it the batteries are good every three months.

Water to drink

Sit down and think what you might need in case of a break down or an emergency when you are in your car and make up your own kit for your specific needs.

Keep everything organized in a container that fits your vehicle whether it is in a car trunk, jeep, truck, SUV or mini van. The peace of mind you will have from being prepared is worth its weight in gold.
About The Author
Marilyn is a creative organizer who has been organizing for over 20 years. She is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers.She holds a bachelors degree in Social Work. She has reared five daughters and currently lives in Utah.

Go to her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find free organizing tips and interesting blogs and helpful articles on organizing.